Chemical dielectric formation for semiconductor device fabrication

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for fabricating semiconductor devices. For example, a substrate is provided. A polymer layer is formed on the substrate. An oxygen-based plasma is applied to remove the polymer layer. An oxidizing solution is applied to generate a dielectric layer. A conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer for fabricating semiconductor devices.

FIELD

The technology described in this disclosure relates generally to material processing and more particularly to semiconductor device fabrication.

BACKGROUND

Fabrication of semiconductor devices often involves formation of a dielectric layer. For example, in order to make a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor, a gate oxide is generated on a substrate. Conventionally, gate oxides are sometimes formed using in situ steam generation, where pre-mixed H₂ and O₂, for example, are introduced to a process chamber to flow across a rotating substrate heated by tungsten-halogen lamps to generate oxides on the substrate.

An integrated circuit (IC) chip often includes core devices for performing certain functions and input/output (I/O) devices for communicating with external circuits. Transistors used for core devices and I/O devices are often different. For example, an I/O device usually has a relatively thick gate oxide in order to sustain a high voltage applied to the peripheral circuit. On the other hand, a core device often requires a very thin gate oxide to achieve a strong capacitive effect for lower threshold voltage and good current control. Using in-situ steam generation to fabricate gate oxides of core devices and I/O devices on a same IC chip often involves forming gate oxide layers with different thicknesses and multiple cleaning stages, which often results in high fabrication costs.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for fabricating semiconductor devices. For example, a substrate is provided. A polymer layer is formed on the substrate. An oxygen-based plasma is applied to remove the polymer layer. An oxidizing solution is applied to generate a dielectric layer for fabricating semiconductor devices. A conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer for fabricating semiconductor devices.

In one embodiment, a method for fabricating semiconductor devices is provided. For example, a substrate including a first region and a second region is provided. A first polymer layer is formed on the first region and the second region. A second polymer layer is formed on the first polymer layer. The second polymer layer is removed on the first region. An oxygen-based plasma is applied to remove the first polymer layer on the first region. An oxidizing solution is applied to generate a first dielectric layer on the first region and to remove the second polymer layer and the first polymer layer on the second region. A conductive layer is formed on the first dielectric layer for fabricating one or more devices.

In another embodiment, a method for fabricating semiconductor devices is provided. For example, a substrate including a first region and a second region is provided. A first dielectric layer is formed on the first region and the second region, the first dielectric layer having a first thickness. A first polymer layer is formed on the first region and the second region. A second polymer layer is formed on the first polymer layer. The second polymer layer on the first region is removed. An oxygen-based plasma is applied to remove the first polymer layer on the first region. The first dielectric layer on the first region is removed. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first region. The second dielectric layer has a second thickness different from the first thickness. The second polymer layer and the first polymer layer on the second region are removed. A first conductive layer is formed on the first dielectric layer on the second region for fabricating one or more first devices. A second conductive layer is formed on the second dielectric layer on the first region for fabricating one or more second devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(A)-1(D) depict example diagrams showing a process of chemical formation of a dielectric layer on a substrate.

FIGS. 2(A)-2(G) depict example diagrams showing a process of chemical formation of a gate oxide for core devices.

FIG. 3 depicts an example diagram of a de-scum process in which a HMDS layer is removed using an oxygen-based plasma.

FIG. 4 depicts an example diagram of a substrate on which an oxidizing solution is applied.

FIG. 5 depicts an example flow chart for chemical formation of a dielectric layer.

FIG. 6 depicts another example flow chart for chemical formation of a dielectric layer.

FIG. 7 depicts yet another example flow chart for chemical formation of a dielectric layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1(A)-1(D) depict example diagrams showing a process of chemical formation of a dielectric layer on a substrate. As shown in FIG. 1(A), a first polymer layer 102, such as hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), is formed on a particular region of a substrate 104 which includes one or more layers. Then, a second polymer layer 106, such as photo-resist, is formed on the first polymer layer 102. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the second polymer layer 106 is removed, e.g., with exposure to light and then a proper solvent. Thereafter, the first polymer layer 102 is removed using an oxygen-based plasma, as shown in FIG. 1(C). An oxidizing solution is applied to form a dielectric layer 110 (e.g., an oxide layer) on the particular region of the substrate 104, as shown in FIG. 1(D). In some embodiments, a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon or metal materials) is formed on the dielectric layer 110 for fabrication of semiconductor devices. As an example, the conductive layer is used to form a gate stack of a transistor, where the dielectric layer serves as the gate dielectric of the transistor.

As an example, the substrate 104 includes one or more epitaxial layers. The substrate 104 is strained for performance enhancement, and/or includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure. In some embodiments, the first polymer layer 102 and the second polymer layer 106 are formed to define areas for subsequent fabrication of semiconductor devices (e.g., transistors). In an embodiment, the oxidizing solution is an acid solution including a mixture of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In another embodiment, the oxidizing solution is a base solution including a mixture of ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). As an example, the oxidizing solution causes a rapid carbonization of organic materials (e.g., polymers) and dissolve the resulted carbon-containing materials.

FIGS. 2(A)-2(G) depict example diagrams showing a process of chemical formation of a gate oxide for core devices. As shown in FIG. 2(A), a dielectric layer 202 is formed on a particular region 204 (e.g., active region) of a substrate. For example, the dielectric layer 202 is patterned for subsequent device fabrication, and part of the dielectric layer 202 is removed. Dummy polysilicon 206 is formed on top of at least part of the dielectric layer 202, e.g., using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or physical vapor deposition (PVD), as shown in FIG. 2(B). As an example, a spacer layer, a contact etch stop layer (CESL) 210, and/or an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer 208 are formed on the substrate, and a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process is implemented to remove at least part of the spacer, the CESL layer 210, and/or the ILD layer 208. As shown in FIG. 2(C), the dummy polysilicon 206 is removed, e.g., using dry etching or wet etching. A first polymer layer 212 (e.g., HMDS) and a second polymer layer 214 (e.g., photo-resist) are deposited on the substrate consecutively. Part of the second polymer layer 214 (e.g., photo-resist) on a core region 216 is removed, while part of the second polymer layer 214 on an I/O region 218 is kept, as shown in FIG. 2(D). For example, the core region 216 is used to fabricate core devices, and the I/O region 218 is used to fabricate I/O devices.

A de-scum process is performed using an oxygen-based plasma to remove part of the first polymer layer 212 (e.g., HMDS) on the core region, as shown in FIG. 2(E). Then, all or part of the dielectric layer 202 on the core region 216 is removed (e.g., through etching), as shown in FIG. 2(F). An oxidizing solution is implemented to remove both the second polymer layer 214 (e.g., photo-resist) and the first polymer layer 212 (e.g., HMDS) on the I/O region 218. In addition, the oxidizing solution is used to form another dielectric layer 220 on the core region 216, as shown in FIG. 2(G). In some embodiments, the thickness of the dielectric layer 220 in the core region 216 is different from that of the dielectric layer 202 in the I/O region 218. For example, the dielectric layer 202 has a thickness of about 3 nm, and the dielectric layer 220 (e.g., gate oxide) has a thickness of about 1 nm.

In some embodiments, a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon or metal materials) is formed on the dielectric layer 202 for fabrication of I/O devices. As an example, the conductive layer is used to form a gate stack of an I/O device, where the dielectric layer 202 serves as the gate dielectric of the I/O device. In certain embodiments, a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon or metal materials) is formed on the dielectric layer 220 for fabrication of core devices. As an example, the conductive layer is used to form a gate stack of a core device, where the dielectric layer 220 serves as the gate dielectric of the core device. The conductive layer for the I/O devices and the conductive layer for the core devices may be fabricated in a single process or in two separate processes respectively.

In an embodiment, the oxidizing solution is an acid solution including a mixture of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In another embodiment, the oxidizing solution is a base solution including a mixture of ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The oxidizing solution is applied at an elevated temperature, for example, in a range of about 160° C. to about 200° C.

FIG. 3 depicts an example diagram of the de-scum process in which the HMDS layer 212 is removed using the oxygen-based plasma. As shown in FIG. 3, the oxygen-based plasma 302 reacts with atoms/molecules within the HMDS layer 212 so that the HMDS layer 212 is removed. In some embodiments, an electrical field is applied to cause at least part of the oxygen-based plasma 302 that includes charged particles (e.g., oxygen ions) to move toward the substrate. The oxygen-based plasma 302 reacts, chemically or physically, with the HMDS layer 212. In an embodiment, the substrate is biased during the de-scum process. In another embodiment, the substrate is not biased during the de-scum process. In some embodiments, the de-scum process improves significantly the uniformity of the dielectric layer 220 (e.g., up to 97%).

FIG. 4 depicts an example diagram of a substrate on which the oxidizing solution is applied. In one embodiment, the oxidizing solution is applied in a center-dispense mode. For example, the oxidizing solution is applied at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time period (e.g., 60 seconds), at a center area 402 of the substrate to spread from the center area 402 to the other areas of the substrate. As an example, the substrate is rotating at a speed of about 50 revolutions-per-minute (rpm).

In another embodiment, the oxidizing solution is applied in a full-scan mode. For example, the oxidizing solution is applied from the center area 402 to an edge 404 of the substrate and from the edge 404 to another edge 406. Then, the oxidizing solution is applied from the edge 406 to the center area 402, and then from the center area 402 to the edge 404. The moving application of the oxidizing solution continues for a predetermined time period (e.g., 60 seconds). As an example, the substrate is rotating at a speed of about 300 revolutions-per-minute (rpm). In some embodiments, applying the oxidizing solution using the full-scan mode generates a more uniform dielectric layer (e.g., the oxide 220) than using the center-dispense mode.

In certain embodiments, the oxidizing solution is applied with a combination of the center-dispense mode and the full-scan mode. The order of applying these two modes and the respective time periods is adjusted to improve quality of the formed dielectric layer (e.g., the oxide 220). In some embodiments, applying the oxidizing solution using the combination of the center-dispense mode and the full-scan mode yields a thicker dielectric layer than using the center-dispense mode or the full-scan mode alone.

FIG. 5 depicts an example flow chart for chemical formation of a dielectric layer. At 502, a substrate is provided. A polymer layer is formed on the substrate. For example, the polymer layer includes a HMDS layer. At 504, an oxygen-based plasma is applied to remove the polymer layer. AT 506, an oxidizing solution is applied (e.g., at an elevated temperature) to generate a dielectric layer. At 508, a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon or metal materials) is formed on the dielectric layer for fabrication of semiconductor devices. As an example, the conductive layer is used to form a gate stack of a transistor, where the dielectric layer serves as the gate dielectric of the transistor. In an embodiment, the oxidizing solution is an acid solution including a mixture of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In another embodiment, the oxidizing solution is a base solution including a mixture of ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).

FIG. 6 depicts another example flow chart for chemical formation of a dielectric layer. At 602, a substrate including a first region and a second region is provided. For example, the first region is used to fabricate core devices, and the second region is used to fabricate I/O devices. At 604, a first polymer layer is formed on the first region and the second region. For example, the first polymer layer includes HMDS. At 606, a second polymer layer is formed on the first polymer layer. For example, the second polymer layer includes photo-resist. At 608, the second polymer layer on the first region is removed. An oxygen-based plasma is applied to remove the first polymer layer on the first region, at 610. At 612, an oxidizing solution is applied to generate a dielectric layer (e.g., silicon dioxide) on the first region and to remove the second polymer layer and the first polymer layer on the second region. At 614, a conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon or metal materials) is formed on the dielectric layer (e.g., on the first region). As an example, the conductive layer is used to form a gate stack of a core device, where the dielectric layer serves as the gate dielectric of the core device. In an embodiment, the oxidizing solution is an acid solution including a mixture of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In another embodiment, the oxidizing solution is a base solution including a mixture of ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).

FIG. 7 depicts yet another example flow chart for chemical formation of a dielectric layer. At 702, a substrate including a first region and a second region is provided. For example, the first region and the second region are used to fabricate core devices and I/O devices respectively. At 704, a first dielectric layer (e.g., silicon oxide) is formed on the first region and the second region. For example, the first dielectric layer has a first thickness. At 706, a first polymer layer is formed on the first region and the second region. For example, the first polymer layer includes HMDS. A second polymer layer is formed on the first polymer layer at 708. For example, the second polymer layer includes photo-resist. At 710, the second polymer layer on the first region is removed.

At 712, an oxygen-based plasma is applied to remove the first polymer layer on the first region. The first dielectric layer on the first region is removed, at 714. For example, the first dielectric layer remains on the second region. At 716, a second dielectric layer is formed on the first region. For example, the second dielectric layer has a second thickness different from the first thickness. At 718, the second polymer layer and the first polymer layer on the second region are removed (e.g., consecutively). At 720, a first conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon or metal materials) is formed on the first dielectric layer on the second region for fabricating one or more first devices (e.g., I/O devices). At 722, a second conductive layer (e.g., polysilicon or metal materials) is formed on the second dielectric layer on the first region for fabricating one or more second devices (e.g., core devices).

In some embodiments, the first conductive layer is used to form a gate stack of an I/O transistor, where the first dielectric layer serves as the gate dielectric of the I/O transistor. In certain embodiments, the second conductive layer is used to form a gate stack of a core transistor, where the second dielectric layer serves as the gate dielectric of the core transistor. As an example, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are fabricated in a single process or in two separate processes respectively.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, include the best mode, and also to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the various embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other replacement and/or additional methods, materials, or components. Well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of various embodiments of the invention. Various embodiments shown in the figures are illustrative example representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Various additional layers and/or structures may be included and/or described features may be omitted in other embodiments. For example, a particular layer described herein may include multiple components which are not necessarily connected physically or electrically. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described herein may be performed in a different order, in series or in parallel, than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and/or described. Operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.

This written description and the following claims may include terms, such as top, first, second, etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. For example, the term “on” as used herein (including in the claims) may not indicate that a first layer “on” a second layer is directly on and in immediate contact with the second layer unless such is specifically stated; there may be a third layer or other structure between the first layer and the second layer on the first layer. The term “substrate” may refer to any construction comprising one or more semiconductive materials, including, but not limited to, bulk semiconductive materials such as a semiconductive wafer (either alone or in assemblies comprising other materials thereon), and semiconductive material layers (either alone or in assemblies comprising other materials). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for fabricating semiconductor devices, the method comprising: providing a substrate including a first region and a second region; forming a first polymer layer on the first region and the second region; forming a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer; removing the second polymer layer on the first region; applying an oxygen-based plasma to remove the first polymer layer on the first region; applying an oxidizing solution to generate a first dielectric layer on the first region and to remove the second polymer layer and the first polymer layer on the second region; and forming a first conductive layer on the first dielectric layer for fabricating one or more first devices.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer is used to fabricate a gate stack of a core device, and the first dielectric layer serves as a gate dielectric of the core device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: a second dielectric layer is formed on the second region; and a second conductive layer is formed on the second dielectric layer for fabricating one or more second devices; wherein the first dielectric layer has a first thickness and the second dielectric layer has a second thickness different from the first thickness.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second conductive layer is used to fabricate a gate stack of an input/output device, and the second dielectric layer serves as a gate dielectric of the input/output device.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of about 1 nm, and the second dielectric layer has a thickness of about 3 nm.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first polymer layer includes hexamethyldisilazane, and the second polymer layer includes photo-resist.
 7. A method for fabricating semiconductor devices, the method comprising: providing a substrate including a first region and a second region; forming a first dielectric layer on the first region and the second region, the first dielectric layer having a first thickness; forming a first polymer layer on the first region and the second region; forming a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer; removing the second polymer layer on the first region; applying an oxygen-based plasma to remove the first polymer layer on the first region; removing the first dielectric layer on the first region; forming a second dielectric layer on the first region, the second dielectric layer having a second thickness different from the first thickness; removing the second polymer layer and the first polymer layer on the second region; forming a first conductive layer on the first dielectric layer on the second region for fabricating one or more first devices; and forming a second conductive layer on the second dielectric layer on the first region for fabricating one or more second devices.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first polymer layer includes hexamethyldisilazane, and the second polymer layer includes photo-resist.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the oxidizing solution includes a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, or a mixture of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are formed approximately simultaneously.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the oxidizing solution is applied at a temperature in a range of about 160° C. to about 200° C.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein: the first conductive layer is a first gate stack of an input/output device; the first dielectric layer serves as a first gate dielectric of the input/output device; the second conductive layer is a second gate stack of a core device; and the second dielectric layer serves as a second gate dielectric of the core device.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of about 3 nm, and the second dielectric layer has a thickness of about 1 nm.
 14. A method for fabricating semiconductor devices, the method comprising: providing a substrate including a first region and a second region; forming a first dielectric layer on the first region and the second region, the first dielectric layer having a first thickness; forming a first polymer layer on the first region and the second region; forming a second polymer layer on the first polymer layer; removing the second polymer layer on the first region; performing de-scum process to remove the first polymer layer on the first region; removing the first dielectric layer on the first region; forming a second dielectric layer on the first region, the second dielectric layer having a second thickness different from the first thickness; removing the second polymer layer and the first polymer layer on the second region; forming, by using the full-scan mode, a first conductive layer on the first dielectric layer on the second region for fabricating one or more first devices; and forming a second conductive layer on the second dielectric layer on the first region for fabricating one or more second devices.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first polymer layer includes hexamethyldisilazane, and the second polymer layer includes photo-resist.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the oxidizing solution includes a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, or a mixture of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are formed approximately simultaneously.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the oxidizing solution is applied at a temperature in a range of about 160° C. to about 200° C.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein: the first conductive layer is a first gate stack of an input/output device; the first dielectric layer serves as a first gate dielectric of the input/output device; the second conductive layer is a second gate stack of a core device; and the second dielectric layer serves as a second gate dielectric of the core device.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first dielectric layer has a thickness of about 3 nm, and the second dielectric layer has a thickness of about 1 nm. 